Been down so long it’s looking up? Pro-democracy effort kicks off on Nov. 7

The good news when it comes to America’s ailing democracy is that there’s so much bad news that the moment is ripe for a comprehensive fix.

At least that’s the thinking that enlivens a new, broad-based campaign to expand voting rights, enforce ethics, and limit money in politics. The push for all three begins the day after so many others campaigns end: On November 7.

“Opportunities for major political reforms do not come along very often,” said Fred Wertheimer, founder and president of Democracy 21, one of 100 national groups cosigning the Declaration for American Democracy.

“We have today a broken political system, a corrupt campaign finance system and a democracy under attack from within,” he said. “The stage is set for major reforms.”

The coalition is focusing on major structural issues. “Only by winning foundational reforms to our politics, can we hope to move forward the substantive policies,” said Lisa Gilbert, vice president of legislative affairs at Public Citizen. She led a conference call on Tuesday.

Wertheimer, the dean of campaign finance reform, said there’s never been as large a coalition taking such a holistic approach.

But how do you get heard over the din? With the news cycle being so fast, how to do you get people to focus on long-term structural issues?

“So many folks are recognizing that this is essential,” Gilbert said. “By joining together we will be infinitely louder and able to cut through.”

“There’s no question that the American people are basically disgusted with the way the system works,” Wertheimer said. “That doesn’t get you over the hump. But this coalition has the capacity for grass roots action, which is the key to winning these fights,” he said. “They will not be won in Washington.”

That said, coalition members realize their job will be easier if Democrats take at least one chamber on November 6.